After they had charged about 25-30 feet, they stopped and held the line. The crowd started signing ‘Oh Canada’ and sat down in the road to protest the charge. What happened next, made me want to stand up and fight. As soon as we were done singing, the police charged at us again. Some of them even used their shields as offensive weapons. Theres a difference between using a riot shield as a tool for crowd control, and using it as a battering ram.

The following is a guest post by my friend, Scott Young. Please note: the material is emotionally charged.

My weekend started out just like a lot of other Torontonian’s. Stay as far away from downtown as I possibly could. But as the weekend wore on, the news reports came in on what was happening down there. I knew that this was history and I knew that I would never be apart of anything like this again. So I charged up the phone and headed downtown.

In the first installment of the Transformers movie, in the ending battle, Megatron says to Optimus Prime,

“You still fight for the weak, that’s why you lose!”

If I was Optimus Prime, I would say, yes. I still fight for the weak. I still fight for the destitute. It is not my tradition, my culture, my religion to give fight for the weak and the destitute.

But I have not lost. In fact, everyday is a victory. For all of us. For over 25 years, the volunteers and donors of the World Partnership Walk have brought hope to over 3 billion people who live on less than two dollars a day. In the recent Montreal Millenium Summit (where Al Gore gave the keynote), stats said that about 50% of people previously living in extreme poverty have made their way up.

We are the hope for the future. Collectively. We are communities of change. Help keep the momentum going. Continue to give hope. Sponsor Me. Join the walk.

Why do I walk? I walk so that the mother who has to traverse over 5 KM to get fresh water for herself and her family, wont have to.

Summer’s nearly in full bloom and many of us will have a little extra time to spare. If you haven’t found a job or an internship, fret not. This is an opportune time to prepare yourself even further for the next best opportunity. If anything, it’s a great time to improve your personal knowledge. So here’s 5 ways to what I call, PPP (Personal and Professional Progress).

1. Watch a TED video

Many of you know of TED. In their own words, they are ideas worth spreading. Watch at least one video a week. You will learn something knew. And the remaining 6 days will allow you to internalize what you have learned. Make an active effort to think about the implications of the ideas that are discussed.

I’m a big advocate of twitter. I have only recently begun using it, and already I have gained significant benefit from it. To gain the most benefit, follow a tweet chat. It’s where people with like minded interests come together and interact. Try to follow at least one, but no more than three. Don’t overwhelm yourself with an excess of information. Steady flow of information is good for you to be able to process it. This isn’t a race.

Giving of your money is generous. It’s wonderful! Keep doing it. But giving your time and knowledge is greater. This summer, participate in at least one charity event. Whether its a walk, a hike, or otherwise. Volunteer your skills and experience to the cause.

It’s important to have a good time. To go back to those roots which at one time refreshed and rejuvenated you. There are high chances that you will recall those emotions and feelings of joy and contentment connecting back. This will definitely allow you to view things with a rekindled perspective. Equally importantly, the old friends that you meet might be your lead in to the industry you want to work in. They will not only be your gateway to goodness past, but also your progressive future. Follow up.

Recommends, A day long excursion at the Old Port in Montreal and/or a barbecue atop Mont Royal.

5. Treat yourself to solitude.

Some people call this meditation. Spending time alone with yourself in an active manner is necessary for an even healthier progress. The best communicators to respond effectively are the best listeners. Listen to your body and to your spirit. You will be armed with knowledge and will be able to respond appropriately. It is also good for your physical body. Furthermore, it is good to build patience, concentration, and persistence.

Recommends, a minimum of 15 minutes daily learning to relax your body by mentally stating to each body part to relax. Follow this with any visualization of achieving a personal or professional goal. Always imagine the goal in the here and now. Something done is better than something in the process of being done.

And it was through learning, talking, and consequently acting, that we will be able to accomplish the eradication of global poverty, and move towards a society of an all-inclusive global economic upliftment.

“People sometimes don’t like to hear it described this way, but ladies and gentlemen, this is a moral issue. It is a challenge to our understand of who we are as human beings,” Gore said addressing the question on many people’s minds: why should we care?

Why Should We Care?

As Canadians, the question isn’t why should we care, but rather, why do we care. There are thousands of Canadians who join hands day in and day out to keep the momentum building, to make sure that we make a difference within our lifetimes: a difference that is sustainable, and long-term. And we have seen this difference: about 50% of people previously living in extreme poverty, have made their way up. Change is sometimes slow, but evident. It is an irrefutable fact, that as Canadians, we have brought hope to tens of millions of people.

“Shared Sense of Common Purpose”

“How did you rise to solve a crisis that so many said was impossible to solve?” the future generations will ask of us, said Al Gore. He was referring to this evident change and accomplishment that we have achieved, and continue to achieve.

“I want part of the answer to be that on the 40th anniversary of Earth Day in Montreal in the Palais, men and women from all over came together to lift the struggle against extreme poverty…and rally the forces of conscience and common sense.”

How You Can Keep The Momentum Building

It’s being done. Right before our eyes. And we are doing it.

Learn about the issue. Go to the World Partnership Walk website and learn about the issue. But more importantly, learn about how these issues are being overcome, and how you (yes, you) have played a major role in bringing an end to extreme poverty.

Talk about the progress. Those days are long gone when people could talk about problems inconsolably. We are now in the era where we can be confident about our abilities and future as a collective global village. Because we truly are a global village. Share your personal stories of hope and change with your friends, and invite them to participate and learn about the World Partnership Walk. Also follow the Twitter hashtag, #WPW

Please share your expertise, advice, opinions, and words of wisdom with me as I embark on this journey along with fellow team mates, Steven Wang and Bryan Cromlish.

I have a request: HAPPO has grown thanks to the phenomenal participation of community members. It is only through your participation and assistance that we can get the Canadian community running. Even if you aren’t in Canada, you can help! Just spread the word to your Canadian colleagues: whether they are leaders in the PR industry, or students who will be future leaders. Let the world know. It is our responsibility to the communities that have given us so much to give back by fostering their growth. Your participation is directly the cause of this growth.

So as we brace for HAPPO 4/30 Let us remember, that Canada Can! Also join the HAPPO LinkedIN group. It is a great opportunity to network and will significantly increase your chances to make lasting connections and set you on your path to a brilliant, exciting, and engaging new career!

Many of you may have heard about the multiple Public Relations chats on Twitter, such as #PRStudChat and #HAPPO. I want to take a couple of lines to talk about #HAPPO, and a new initiative, #HappoCAN

Essentially, #HAPPO is about helping people network and find jobs in the PR Industry.It was started by Valerie Simon and Arik Hanson, two brilliant PR professionals, but more importantly, two of the most important community members with a passion to grow, learn, share and impart knowledge and information. Kudos!

This is a wonderful thing! There are many opportunities and just as many success stories.

Why #HappoCAN?

#HAPPO has been great, and it continues to grow. And it has focused mainly on the USA. As #HAPPO grows, I strongly identify a need for something similar in Canada. Because there are very few opportunities that are Canadian, they get buried in the extensive amount of information. Also, because #HAPPO is identified more and more with the States, I feel that it deters Canadian PR pros from participating in the conversation.

Enter #HappoCAN. If you’re a Canadian, residing in Canada or abroad, or if you’re an international citizen, looking for PR opportunities in Canada, #HappoCAN is for you. Because this only works if everyone participates and identifies with this need, your participation is crucial!

Please help spread the word about #HappoCAN and join the initiative. Because Canada Can!

About the Author…

Born in Karachi, Pakistan in an Adventist hospital, I grew up in a city where on one side I experienced poverty and oppression, while on the other I had the good fortune of Tabish Bhimani being a member of an upper middle-class business family...more...